No. 19-7004

Mario Torres v. Shawn Hatton, Warden

Lower Court: Ninth Circuit
Docketed: 2019-12-18
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: blanket-policy brady-violations criminal-defendant-rights criminal-procedure discovery due-process evidence-withholding exculpatory-evidence federal-law ineffective-assistance plea-agreement policy right-to-counsel unreasonable-application
Key Terms:
DueProcess JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2020-02-21
Question Presented (from Petition)

Whether Contra Costa County California's blanket policy of depriving a criminal defendant, the facts and the evidence (exculpatory or otherwise), surrounding their arrest and incarceration is an unreasonable application of clearly established federal law - and if so whether the policy violates a defendant's right to counsel. This is a policy that has been practiced and enforced by and/or, with the knowledge of the officers of the court, representing the Office of the District Attorney, Office of the Public Defenders & the Superior Court. The policy is said to stem from an unspecified California Supreme Court ruling claiming that it is unsafe for a criminal defendant to obtain facts or knowledge of his case exculpatory or otherwise.

Whether petitioner received the Ineffective Assistance of Counsel, when counsel refused to thoroughly investigate the existence of video evidence showing petitioner being beat without cause of justification by Concord California police officers; refused to investigate incorrect preliminary transcripts that are missing vital testimony needed for impeachment purposes; ignored, refused to obtain, or was not aware of police reports, showing that Petitioners either did not commit a crime, or it was impossible for the crime to have been committed, and counsels flat out refusal to produce discovery, all the while giving Petitioner a presumption of guilt, and recommending Petitioner sign the plea being offered.

Whether Petitioners plea-agreement was fulfilled. After Petitioner received an Order to Show Cause in both State and Federal Courts, the district attorney and public defender involved in his case, went into court and had Petitioner resentenced for a fourth time, never matching the original plea agreement.

Whether Petitioner is a victim of Brady violations. District attorney Scott Cunnane, in this case was present when alleged victim Betty Zierke admitted to being drunk while making her preliminary testimony, and black out drunk on a regular basis. Zierkes admissions are not in the preliminary transcripts. Cunnane had stated that he would investigate Zierkes admissions through court recordings, never doing so. Cunnane charged Petitioner with crimes regardless.

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether Contra.Costa County California's blanket policy of depriving a criminal defendant the facts and the evidence (exculpatory or otherwise), surrounding their arrest and incarceration is an unreasonable application of clearly established federal law — and if so whether the policy violates a defendant's right to counsel

Docket Entries

2020-02-24
Petition DENIED.
2020-01-16
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/21/2020.
2020-01-10
Waiver of right of respondent Shawn Hatton, Warden to respond filed.
2019-12-11
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due January 17, 2020)

Attorneys

Mario Torres
Mario Torres — Petitioner
Shawn Hatton, Warden
Jill M. ThayerCalifornia Attorney General's Office, Respondent